{"id":29958,"date":"2023-12-27T21:27:11","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T04:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/mechanical-issue-involving-bighorn-chairlift-shuts-down-hesperus-ski-area-for-2023-24-season\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T01:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:07:40","slug":"mechanical-issue-involving-bighorn-chairlift-shuts-down-hesperus-ski-area-for-2023-24-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/mechanical-issue-involving-bighorn-chairlift-shuts-down-hesperus-ski-area-for-2023-24-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Mechanical issue involving Bighorn Chairlift shuts down Hesperus Ski Area for 2023-24 season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Courtesy
Courtesy of Hesperus Ski Area \u2013 02\/13\/2018 Hesperus \u2013 Hesperus Ski Area will open Wednesday after receiving 13 inches of snow earlier this week.<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

La Plata County skiing enthusiasts won\u2019t be able to hit the slopes at one area resort this winter.<\/p>\n

Hesperus Ski Area announced Wednesday it will close for the 2023-24 ski season because of a mechanical failure involving the Bighorn Chairlift\u2019s gearbox.<\/p>\n

The gearbox for the Bighorn chairlift failed, and a compatible replacement cannot be sourced, Purgatory spokeswoman Theresa Graven said in an email to The Durango Herald<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe gearbox is the lift\u2019s transmission, as it connects the motor to the drive bullwheel and is crucial for the lift\u2019s operation. The only viable option is to remanufacture the original gearbox, making it impossible to open Hesperus Ski Area for the 23-24 season,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

State records<\/a> indicate that the resort\u2019s Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board license will expire Jan. 4.<\/p>\n

When asked why that license had not been renewed, Graven said that process happens every year, but the resort hadn\u2019t gotten around to doing that because the gearbox had failed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce that happened, they decided to wait and see as it was apparent it wasn\u2019t going to be a quick or easy fix. They explored all viable replacement or other options before making the difficult decision to close,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

There won\u2019t be any tubing or uphill skiing allowed either, according to Graven.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe parking lot will not be plowed and no other mountain operations will be conducted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Hesperus Ski Area, which had completed more than $100,000 in capital improvements entering this winter, was doing lift maintenance and preparations before the ski season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHesperus relies on natural snowfall to operate, so the ski area typically operates from December through March,\u201d Graven said. \u201cThis is not enough time to remanufacture the gearbox in time to salvage this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

The resort is located on the north side of Hesperus in western La Plata County.<\/p>\n

Those with Hesperus value passes have the option to do a direct exchange for a two-day \u201cMy Weekday Pass\u201d at Purgatory Resort this winter, opt for credit on another 2023-24 pass at the original Spring 2023 on-sale rate or apply that credit toward their Hesperus pass for the 2024-25 ski season, according to a news release. Those with other season passes to Hesperus also have those aforementioned credit options.<\/p>\n

Those with uphill passes have the option to receive a full refund, apply their credit to another Purgatory pass or apply it to their 2024-25 Hesperus season pass.<\/p>\n

mhollinshead@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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